MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies involved in infrastructure projects to use only high quality materials so that they can withstand calamities.
Marcos issued the order during his visit to Albay on Wednesday, where he led the distribution of cash assistance to families, farmers, and fishermen affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
Marcos said the Office of the President allotted a P50 million cash assistance for the province.
“Alam nating palakas nang palakas ang mga bagyo at palaki nang palaki ang pinsalang iniiwan nito. Kaya naman, ipinapatupad na natin ang mga makabagong disenyo para sa ating mga kalsada, para sa ating mga tulay,” he said.
(We know that the storms are getting stronger and the damage they leave behind is getting bigger. That is why we are now implementing modern designs for our roads and bridges.)
“Sa DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways], DOTr [Department of Transportation], DTI [Department of Trade and Industry], at iba pang ahensya ng pamahalaan, tiyakin ninyong de-kalidad, ligtas, at matibay ang mga materyales na gagamitin sa pagpapatayo ng mga imprastraktura natin. Sa gayon, magtatagal at maaasahan ito anuman ang panahon,” Marcos added.
(To the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways], DOTr [Department of Transportation], DTI [Department of Trade and Industry], and other government agencies, make sure that the materials used for infrastructure projects are of high quality, safe, and durable. This way, they will last and remain reliable regardless of the weather.)
In the same speech, Marcos said he tasked the DPWH to revisit the Bicol River Basin Development Program, whose master plan and feasibility study were already finished last July.
He said detailed engineering design is already underway and the actual construction is set to begin in 2025.
As of November 5, the death toll from Kristine and Typhoon Leon climbed to 151, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
It also reported that 134 individuals were injured and 21 missing.